Decorative bottle container

ABSTRACT

A container is provided including a generally hollow cylindrical base having a cavity configured to retain one or more items. A lid is removably coupled to the base. The lid has a first portion adjacent a first end and a second portion near a second end. The first portion of the lid is generally complementary to the base. An insert is coupled to an interior surface of the first portion of the lid. The insert extends generally beyond a first end of the lid such that when the lid is attached to the base, a section of the insert including a raised portion is received within the cavity of the base. The raised portion of the insert is configured to generate a sealing pressure fit when positioned against an interior surface of the cavity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/772,880, filed on Feb. 21, 2013 the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of this invention generally relate to containersand, more particularly, to a decorative bottle container configured tostore one or more items.

Candles are well known and are generally used as a light source duringemergency situations, such as when electrical power is lost for example.In addition, candles are also used for decorative purposes. Candles aregenerally available in a variety of scents and colors and may addambiance to a room or other setting while providing a scented aromaduring the burning of the candle.

Candles generally include a wick arranged at a center point of a waxbody. Some candles, such as taper candles for example, are intended foruse with a separate candle holder. Other candles have decorative shapes,or may be housed in a decorative container. Some candles are arrangedwithin a bottom portion of a new or recycled glass bottle, such as abeer bottle or wine bottle for example. However, these candles generallydo not have an aesthetically pleasing appearance when the candle is notin use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention, a container is providedincluding a generally hollow cylindrical base having a cavity configuredto retain one or more items. A lid is removably coupled to the base. Thelid has a first portion adjacent a first end and a second portion near asecond end. The first portion of the lid is generally complementary tothe base. An insert is coupled to an interior surface of the firstportion of the lid. The insert extends generally beyond a first end ofthe lid such that when the lid is attached to the base, a section of theinsert is received within the cavity of the base. The section includesan undercut and a raised portion configured to function as a sealingmechanism to generate a sealing pressure fit when positioned against aninterior surface of the cavity.

According to an alternate embodiment of the invention, an insertconfigured to selectively couple a first component and a secondcomponent is provided including a cylindrical body having an outersurface. A section of the outer surface includes an undercut and anadjacent raised portion configured to generate a sealing pressure fitwhen the raised portion is arranged against an interior surface of acavity of the first component.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a canister isprovided including a generally hollow cylindrical body having aninternal compartment configured to store one or more items. A topcoupled to the cylindrical body is movable between a closed position andan open position to access the internal compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a container according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a separated base and lid of a containeraccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a lid of a containeraccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an insert configured to couple the lid and baseof the container according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 a is a cross-sectional view of the insert of FIG. 4 according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled base and lid of acontainer according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a canister configured to be arranged withinthe lid according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of the canister of FIG. 6 according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 b is a top view of the top of the canister of FIG. 6 according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a lid of a containeraccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a base of a container according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a base of the container according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a base of the container accordingto another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of a divider arranged within the base of thecontainer according to an embodiment of the invention.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, togetherwith advantages and features, by way of example with reference to thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the FIGS., a container 20 according to variousembodiments of the invention is illustrated. The container 20 includes ahousing 22 having a separable and complementary base 24 and lid 26. Thehousing 22 may be formed from a glass or other material. In oneembodiment, the base 24 of the housing 22 includes a generally hollowelongated cylinder having a closed first end 28 and an open second end30. The lid 26 is generally non-uniform in shape over its length suchthat the lid 26 has a first portion 32 adjacent a first end 34 and adistinct second portion 36 adjacent a second, opposite end 38. In oneembodiment, the first portion 32 of the lid 26 has a generallysemi-spherical shape and the second portion 36 has a generally narrowcylindrical shape. The diameter of the lid 26 near the first end 34 maybe substantially larger than the diameter of the lid 26 taken near thesecond end 38. The diameter of the lid 26 at the first end 34 isgenerally equal to the diameter of the second, open end 30 of the base24. In one embodiment, the housing 22 of the container 20 is configuredto appear as a seamless, unaltered bottle when the lid 26 is positionedadjacent the base 24. Exemplary bottles that may be used to form thecontainer 20 include, but are not limited to, wine, champagne, beer,liquor, and water bottles for example.

Referring now to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, agenerally cylindrical insert 44 may be mounted about the circumferenceof an interior surface 40 of the lid 26, such as with an adhesive forexample. In one embodiment, the insert 44 may be formed from a woodveneer. Alternatively, the insert 44 is generally formed from adeformable, elastic material including, but not limited to, plastic,silicone, rubber or a combination thereof for example. In oneembodiment, the insert 44 is fabricated from a durable plastic material,such as polypropylene for example, formed using an injection moldingprocess. The insert 44 may be generally clear or may be dyed a colorcomplementary to the lid 26 to minimize the visibility of the insert 44within the lid 26. An end 46 of the insert 44 extends beyond the firstend 34 of the lid 26.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the lid 26 is positioned adjacent the secondend 30 (FIG. 2) of the base 24, the end 46 of the insert 44 is receivedwithin the hollow cavity 29 of the base 24. A portion of the insert 44adjacent end 46 may be generally clear or may be dyed a colorcomplementary to the base 24 to minimize visibility of the insert 44within the base 24 when the lid 26 and base 24 are connected. The insert44 is configured to contact an interior surface 31 of the base 24 andvertically align the lid 26 relative to the base 24 (FIG. 5). In thenon-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, at least one protrusion50, such as a divider for example, extends outwardly about thecircumference of the insert 44.

Referring now to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and4 a, the insert 44 may include an adjacent first edge 90 and second edge92 configured to connect with one another. In the illustrated,non-limiting embodiment, a tab 94 extends from the interior surface 45of the insert 44, adjacent the first edge 90, towards the second edge 92and includes a plurality of outward facing teeth 96. Similarly, aportion of the interior surface 45 adjacent the second edge 92 includesa plurality of inward facing teeth 98 complementary to the outwardfacing teeth 96 of the tab 94. The first edge 90 and the second edge 92of the insert 44 are arranged in contact with one another such that themeshed inward facing teeth 98 and outward facing teeth 96 are bonded,such as with an adhesive or ultrasound staking process for example.Although the use of complementary teeth 96, 98 is described herein,other locking mechanisms configured to couple the first edge 90 and thesecond edge 92 of the insert 44 are within the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment, the insert 44 may be adapted to fit within a lid 26having a circumference within a given range. A portion of the insert 44may be removed from the second end 92 such that the insert 44 has acircumference complementary to the lid 26 when the outward facing teeth96 of the tab 94 and the inward facing teeth 98 of the interior surface45 are arranged in a meshing engagement.

As illustrated by the cross-section taken along A-A of FIG. 4, shown inFIG. 4 a, the insert 44 may include a single protrusion 50 extendingfrom a central portion of the outer surface 48 of the insert 44. Thesingle protrusion 50 divides the outer surface 48 of the insert 44 intoan upper section 100, configured to couple to the interior surface 40 ofthe lid 26, and a lower section 102 configured to contact the interiorsurface 31 of the base 24 when the lid 26 and base 24 are joined. Toinstall the insert 44, adhesive is applied to the surface 48 of theupper section 100 of the insert 44. The insert is then inserted into theopen end 34 of the lid 26 until the protrusion 50 generally abuts end34. When the lid 26 is installed onto the base 24 of the container 20,the protrusion 50 is positioned generally between the second end 30 ofthe base 24 and the first end 34 of the lid 26 to prevent direct contactthere between when attaching the lid 26 to the base 24.

The lower section 102 of the insert 44 functions as a sealing mechanismwhen the end 46 of the insert 44 is inserted into the base 24. The lowersection 102 includes an undercut 103 positioned adjacent the protrusion50, and a raised portion 104 having an increased thickness adjacent thesecond end 46. Together the undercut 103 and raised portion 104 generatea sealing pressure fit when inserted into the open end 30 of the base24. The sealing pressure fit prevents slippage of the base 24 relativeto the lid 26, such as when only the second end 38 of the lid 26 of thecontainer 20 is supported.

In addition, the end 46 of the insert 44 may be tapered to ease theinstallation of the insert 44 within the open end 30 of the cavity 29 ofthe base 24. In one embodiment, the base 24 and either the lid 26 orinsert 44 include markings to indicate to an operator the orientation ofthe lid 26 relative to the base 24 to ensure a proper fit wheninstalling the lid 26 on the base 24.

With reference again to FIG. 2, a removable cover 52 is generallyarranged adjacent the second end 38 of the lid 26. In one embodiment,the cover 52 is formed from a plastic or metallic sealing material andincludes an exposed pull tab 54. A portion of the removable cover 52 mayextend over the second end 38 and along the second portion 36 of the lid26. The pull tab 54 is configured to separate from the remainder of thecover 52 to expose the second end 38 of the lid 26 when a force isapplied thereto. In another embodiment, the cover 52 includes a screwtop configured to threadably couple to the second end 38 of the lid 26(FIG. 3). A partition 56, such as a disk fabricated from a cork, wood,or heat-resistant material for example, may be positioned near thejunction of the first portion 32 and the second portion 36 of the lid 26to form a compartment 58 within the second portion 36.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6, 6 a, and 6 b, a canister110 may be inserted into the second end 38 and extend into the secondportion 36 of the lid 26. The canister 110 may be permanently fixedwithin the second portion 36, such as with an adhesive for example, ormay be removable from the second portion 36. In one embodiment, thecanister 110 is fabricated from a durable plastic material, such aspolypropylene for example, formed using an injection molding process.The canister 110 may be generally clear or may be dyed a colorcomplementary to the lid 26 to minimize the visibility of the canister110 within the lid 26. The canister 110 includes a generally hollow body112 having an internal compartment 58. The body 112 may be generallycomplementary to the second portion 36 of the lid 26 and an end 113 ofthe body 112 may have an increased diameter configured to abut thesecond end 38 of the lid 26. In one embodiment, the canister 110includes a top 114 removably or fixedly attached to the end 113 of thebody 112, such as with a hinge 118 (FIG. 6 a) for example. The top 114is movable between an open position (FIG. 6 a) and a closed position(FIG. 6) to access the compartment 58 of the body 112. In theillustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the top 114 includes a thumb tab117 configured to assist an operator with moving the top 114 from aclosed position to an open position. In embodiments where the cover 52is a screw top, the canister 110 arranged within the lid 26 does notinclude a top 114.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6 a, the internal compartment 58 of thecanister 110 is configured to store a component related to the container20, such as a note including a customizable message for example. In theillustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a plurality of matches 60 isarranged within the compartment 58. The matches 60 are generallycontained within the compartment 58 until the cover 52 is removed andthe second end 38 of the lid 26 is exposed. In embodiments where thecover 52 is a screw top, the compartment 58 may be accessed byunthreading the cover 52 from the lid 26. Alternatively, in embodimentswhere the compartment 58 is formed by a canister 110 having a top 114,the matches 60 are additionally contained within the compartment 58until the top 114 of the canister 110 is moved to an open position.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the container 20 may include agenerally narrow strip of striking material 62 configured for use withone of the plurality of matches 60. The striking material 62 may bemounted to the exterior of the housing 22 of the container 20, such aswrapped at least partially about the circumference of the second portion36 of the lid 26. Alternatively, the striking material 62 may be adheredto an outer surface 116 of the top 114 of the canister 110, asillustrated in FIG. 6 b. In other non-limiting embodiments, the strikingmaterial 62 may be positioned in other areas, including, but not limitedto the bottom 28 of the housing 22, or on the outside of the screw topcover 52 for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a wax based candle 80 may be positionedwithin the cavity 29 of the base 24 such that an exposed end 84 of thecandle wick 82 is arranged adjacent the open second end 30. The lengthof the wick 82 will vary with the candle 80 to prevent the base 24 fromoverheating. The candle 80 may have a diameter less than the diameter ofthe cavity 29 and may be removably located therein. Alternatively, thecandle 80 may be formed integrally with the base 24, adjacent the firstend 28, such as by pouring hot wax into the cavity 29 for example.

In one non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 9, one or more shapes 86may be formed within the candle 80 and/or may extend from the surface 81of the candle 80. Exemplary shapes include, but are not limited to,words, symbols, and holiday related shapes such as snowflakes,shamrocks, stars, hearts, flags, and trees for example. The candle 80may be any color or any combination thereof In one embodiment, the colorand scent of the candle 80 are generally complementary to the container20. For example, if the container 20 is formed from a new or recycledchampagne bottle, the candle 80 may be generally beige colored with achampagne scent. Similarly, if the container 20 is formed from a new orrecycled merlot bottle, the candle 80 may be generally red in color andhave a wine, more particularly, a merlot scent. In addition, one or morelabels 90, such as to indicate a brand and/or scent of the candle 20, ora warning label for example, may be arranged about the exterior of thehousing 22 (FIG. 1).

Although the container 20 has previously been illustrated and describedas being configured to store a candle, other configurations where thecontainer 20 is used to store a variety of other items are within thescope of the invention. Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, an alternativeembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Here the container20 is adapted to hold one or more plurality of tobacco products 120 thatrequire storage in a space having a constant humidity, such as cigars orcigarillos for example, in a manner similar to a humidor. Positionedwithin the cavity 29 of the base 24, generally centrally between aplurality of tobacco products 120, is a humidifier ampule 130 configuredto regulate the humidity within the cavity 29. In one embodiment, thehumidifier ampule 130 includes a hollow member 132 formed from amaterial permeable to water vapor but not liquid water. Arranged withinthe hollow member 132 is a plurality of crystals 134, such as DryMistat®crystals for example, configured to slowly release water via evaporationover time into the cavity 29.

As illustrated in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 11, a divider 140configured to retain the humidifier ampule 130 generally within thecenter of a plurality of tobacco products 120 may be positioned withinthe cavity 29 of the base 24. The divider 140 includes a coupled innermember 142 and outer member 144 arranged generally concentrically todefine a first opening 146 and a second opening 148. The first opening146 is configured to receive and support the humidifier ampule 130 andthe second opening 148 is configured to receive and support theplurality of tobacco products 120. The divider 140 may be configured tomount to an interior wall 31 of the cavity 29, such as with an adhesivefor example, or may extend over at least a portion of the length of thecavity 29 such that the divider 140 is generally supported by aninterior surface 33 of the closed end 28 of the base 24.

The container 20 may be formed by cutting a new or recycled bottle orhousing 22 into a complementary base 24 and lid 26. Once the housing 22is separated, one or more items, such as a candle 80 or tobacco product120 for example, is positioned within the cavity 29 of the base 24, andan insert 44 is mounted adjacent the first end 34 of the lid 26. Acanister 110 is inserted into the second end 38 of the lid 26. Thestriking material 62 may be mounted to the canister 110 or the housing22 and/or the matches 60 may be inserted into the compartment 58 of thecanister 110 before or after the canister 110 is installed into the lid26. A cover 52 configured to seal the second end 38 is positioned on thelid 26 and one or more labels 90 are fastened to the exterior of thehousing 22.

By forming the base 24 and lid 26 of a container 20 from a bottle, thecontainer 20 is configured to appear as a seamless bottle, therebyimproving the aesthetic appearance of the container 20 when the item(s)stored within the container 20, such as a candle or cigars for example,is not in use. In addition, the container 20 is configured to discreetlystore a plurality of matches and striking material, configured for usewith the item(s) contained within the base 24 of the container 20. Inaddition, because portions of the container 20 are customizable, such asthe labels 90 or the appearance and scent of the candle 80 for example,the container 20 may be used in commercial applications. Exemplarycommercial applications include, but are not limited to, use byvineyards and distilleries, use by retailers, use by businesses asmarketing tools, or use as gifts at events such as a wedding forexample.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, butis only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container, comprising a generally hollowcylindrical base having a cavity configured to retain one or more items;a lid, removably coupled to the base the lid having a first portionadjacent a first end and a second portion near a second end, the firstportion being generally complementary to the base; and an insert coupledto an interior surface of the first portion of the lid extends generallybeyond a first end of the lid such that when the lid is attached to thebase, a section of the insert is received within the cavity of the base,the section includes an undercut and a raised portion configured tofunction as a sealing mechanism to generate a sealing pressure fit whenarranged in contact with an interior surface of the cavity of the base.2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the base and the lid aregenerally formed from a bottle and when the lid and the base areattached, the container is configured to appear as an uncut bottle. 3.The container according to claim 1, wherein the insert includes anoutwardly extending protrusion, the protrusion being positioned betweenthe lid and the base when the lid is attached to the base.
 4. Thecontainer according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion divides anexterior surface of the insert into an upper portion and a lowerportion, and when the insert is coupled to the lid, the protrusion isconfigured to abut an end thereof
 5. The container according to claim 1,wherein the base and at least one of the lid and insert includecomplementary markings configured to indicate an orientation of the lidrelative to the base when the lid is attached to the base.
 6. Thecontainer according to claim 1, further comprising a canister including:generally hollow cylindrical body having an internal compartmentconfigured to store one or more items; and a top coupled to thecylindrical body, the top being movable between a closed position and anopen position to access the internal compartment.
 7. The containeraccording to claim 6, wherein the canister is positioned within thesecond portion of the lid.
 8. The container according to claim 7,wherein at least one match is arranged within the internal compartmentof the canister.
 9. The container according to claim 8, wherein astriking material is mounted to a portion of the canister for use withthe at least one match.
 10. The container according to claim 1, whereina candle is arranged within the cavity of the base.
 11. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein at least one tobacco product and ahumidifier ampule are arranged within the cavity of the base.
 12. Thecontainer according to claim 11, further comprising a divider positionedwithin the cavity, the divider including a coupled inner member andouter member arranged generally concentrically to define a first openingand a second opening, the first opening being located near a center ofthe cavity.
 13. The container according to claim 12, wherein thehumidifier ampule is arranged within the first opening and at least onetobacco product is arranged within the second opening.
 14. An insertconfigured to selectively couple a first component and a secondcomponent, comprising: a cylindrical body having an outer surface, asection of the outer surface including an undercut and an adjacentraised portion configured to function as a sealing mechanism to generatea sealing pressure fit when the section is arranged against an interiorsurface of a cavity of the first component.
 15. The insert according toclaim 14, further comprising a protrusion extending outwardly from theouter surface, the protrusion being positioned between adjacent edges ofthe first component and the second component when the first componentand the second component are coupled.
 16. The insert according to claim15, wherein the protrusion defines an upper section and a lower sectionof the outer surface, the upper section being coupled to a surface ofthe second component, and the lower section being configured to extendwithin the cavity of the first component and function as the sealingmechanism.
 17. The insert according to claim 15, wherein when the insertis coupled to the second component, the protrusion is configured to abutan end thereof.
 18. The insert according to claim 14, wherein an end ofthe cylindrical body near the raised portion is generally tapered. 19.The insert according to claim 14, wherein the cylindrical body includesa first edge and an adjacent second edge coupled in an interlockingarrangement.
 20. The insert according to claim 19, wherein, a portion ofthe first edge includes a plurality of first teeth and a portion of thesecond edge includes a plurality of second teeth, the plurality of firstteeth and the plurality of second teeth being generally complementaryand arranged in meshing engagement.
 21. The insert according to claim19, wherein a circumference of the insert is adjustable by removing aportion of the second edge.
 22. The insert according to claim 14,wherein the first component is a base of a container and the secondcomponent is a lid of a container, the lid and the base being generallycomplementary to one another.
 23. A canister comprising: a generallyhollow cylindrical body having an internal compartment configured tostore one or more items; and a top coupled to the cylindrical body, thetop being movable between a closed position and an open position toaccess the internal compartment, wherein the top includes a thumb tabconfigured to assist an operator with moving the top from a closedposition to an open position.
 24. The canister according to claim 23,wherein at least one match is positioned within the internalcompartment, and a striking material is mounted to a portion of thecanister.
 25. The canister according to claim 23, wherein the generallyhollow cylindrical body is generally complementary to a portion of acontainer such that the canister is configured to be mounted within theportion of the container.